JP2007068200A - Multimedia information output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to confirm that usage reaches a prescribed value, by determining the usage for performing appropriate charging even if software is used in any use style other than an ordinary use style. <P>SOLUTION: In a multimedia information output device, a plurality of kinds of information are read from a medium storing multimedia information constituted by combining a plurality of kinds of information including at least image information and audio information, the plurality of kinds of information are output while being sorted for each kind, and either continuous reproduction or intermittent reproduction can be selected for the image information. The output device includes a processing means for outputting compressed image information read from the medium after applying extension processing thereto, and a means for counting, with image information as a charging target of the multimedia information, usage of multimedia information determined in accordance with the number of times of outputting of the processing means. If the usage reaches a prescribed value, image information indicative of such a state is output, and an extension processing output is stopped after the lapse of a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multimedia information output apparatus for measuring the usage amount of software such as a computer program or video work, particularly digitalized software (multimedia information). In particular, the present invention relates to a multimedia information output apparatus that determines an appropriate usage amount even when these software (multimedia information) is used in a usage mode other than the usage mode in the case of normal use.

  When large-scale storage media such as CD-ROM and large-capacity high-speed communication technology such as B-ISDN are developed, computer programs as well as images and sounds are distributed as digital information using these means. Is expected.

  That is, video works such as those conventionally supplied on video tapes are directly stored in CD-ROMs for sale, or distributed to the market as games using the interactive (interactive) nature of CD-ROMs. Has begun to do.

  The same applies to communication lines, and it is becoming possible for such video works to be delivered to users' hands via communication. By the way, this kind of digital information is very easy to copy to other media, and since there is no deterioration due to copying like analog information, it is possible to copy the same information. Profits are very likely to be harmed. That is, it is easy to copy the contents of a CD-ROM with only a small knowledge of an OS (operation system) command, as long as it possesses a large-capacity rewritable magneto-optical disk or magnetic disk device.

  As described above, the rental of this kind of digital information medium is mostly prohibited by the manufacturer because a sufficient security check is impossible.

  However, as an end user, the current price of this type of software is expensive, and it is really important to verify that the software matches what it wants, or that it can be used on its own hardware. I often hesitate to buy until I can get it.

  In this regard, a large number of software with limited functions is stored on a CD-ROM and sold at low cost, and the end user releases the function restrictions by sending a usage right setting fee for the desired software from among them. New software distribution methods are being realized in which the code is notified. However, since it is difficult to limit the period of use and the number of times of use when setting the right of use, the right of use must be set for permanent use. Therefore, the setting fee has to be extremely high.

In this regard, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-19707, the available amount is registered in advance in the IC card, and when using paid software, the available amount of the IC card is registered in the system. A method of subtracting the balance for each use has been proposed.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-19707

  However, in the case of software of a type that sequentially uses a series of data in a time series, such as moving image data and audio data, it is not possible to charge appropriately with the above method.

  For example, in the case of moving image data such as a movie, the software user may temporarily stop the image during the reproduction of the moving image data and leave the reproduction device for a while to perform other work. In that case, the software user returns to the front of the playback device again, and restarts the playback of the moving image data from the data position where it was temporarily stopped or the head position of the moving image data. In such a case, according to the above method, it is considered that the playback through the moving image data is a single use, and the usage fee for one time is charged, or the playback after returning to the head position is performed another time. The usage fee for the second time was charged.

  Of these, even if the playback is resumed after returning to the head position, if only one usage amount is charged, it is unreasonable to charge for the data already played before the primary stop. In addition, if the amount of usage for two times is charged uniformly when the playback is resumed after returning to the head position, the portion of the data that has not been played before the primary stop is also charged. So it is irrational. Also, if playback is resumed at the stop location where the primary stop was performed, if the usage amount for two times is charged uniformly, it will be charged twice as much as the normal amount. is there.

  In order to avoid such unreasonableness, it may be possible to charge according to the data usage time. However, in the state where the primary stop is performed, the data copy is not executed, and only a meaningful image fragment is displayed as a moving image. It is still unreasonable to charge the same amount of time as you go. This is the first problem in the prior art.

  If digital information is used as data, step search can be performed instead of cue and review in analog video. However, in the conventional charging method, no appropriate means has been taken as to how to charge for such a step search. In this case, charging during the step search in the same way as during normal playback is difficult for the user because the video story cannot be followed. This is the second problem in the prior art.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention takes the above prior art one step further, and measures the usage amount for performing appropriate charging even when multimedia information is used in a usage pattern other than the normal usage pattern. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia information output device that allows a user to confirm when the usage amount reaches a predetermined value.

The present invention reads out a plurality of types of information from a medium storing multimedia information composed of a plurality of types of information including at least image information and audio information, and classifies the plurality of types of information into individual types. In the multimedia information output device capable of selecting one of continuous playback and intermittent playback of the image information,
Processing means for performing decompression processing and outputting the compressed image information read from the medium;
Means for accounting the image information for the multimedia information, and counting the amount of use of multimedia information determined according to the number of outputs of the processing means;
When the usage amount reaches a predetermined value, image information indicating that the usage amount has reached the predetermined value is output, and the expansion processing output of the processing means is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is a media information output device.

  According to the present invention, the compressed image information read from the medium is encrypted, and the processing means applies the image information to the compressed image information before performing the decompression process on the compressed image information. It can be configured to perform a decryption process. Further, the present invention can be specified as a multimedia information output method by the multimedia information output apparatus having the above-described features.

  In the multimedia information including moving images (image information) and audio information, the present invention can divide the moving images (image information) for each frame of display, even if interrupted or repeated a part, It focuses on the fact that how many frames (image information) are used can be measured regardless of the type of operation. Audio information cannot be distinguished from its unit sentence, while moving images can be distinguished by frame, so multimedia information composed of audio and images is used according to the number of times image information is output, such as the number of output image frames. Determine the amount.

  In order to detect such use, in the present invention, the usage amount of multimedia information is determined in accordance with the number of times image information is output and the number of frame image expansion processing (decompression completion signal output). This makes it possible to charge according to the number of output times of image information and the number of output times of the expansion completion signal regardless of the use time of the multimedia information regardless of the use time of the entire multimedia information. Charge amount is appropriate.

Further, according to the present invention, when the usage amount of multimedia information reaches a predetermined value (predetermined usage amount), the output of some information is inhibited by the inhibition means, or the output control means The information supplied to one is processed. These can be given to the user as a warning when the usage amount reaches a predetermined value (predetermined usage amount).

According to the present invention, even when software (multimedia information) is used in a usage pattern other than the normal usage pattern, it is possible to determine a usage amount for performing appropriate charging. Further, if the usage amount is determined according to the usage mode of the software, it is possible to charge for an appropriate amount even for usage that is not the original usage mode for following the story. When the usage amount of the multimedia information reaches a predetermined value, the user can confirm it.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of Example>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the software playback apparatus used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

The software playback device 2 as a multimedia information output device is an information device that can use various software provided through a medium such as communication via a high-density CD-ROM 1 or a telephone line. The various types of software have digital data such as audio data, image data, character data, and computer programs. The contents of the various software include a computer program and data stored on a conventional floppy (registered trademark) disk, a television program broadcast on a conventional analog television system, a conventional video tape, and a video. This includes movie programs provided by discs, music data conventionally provided by radio broadcasts and compact discs, still image data such as photographs, and the like.

  That is, the software playback apparatus 2 is an information device that can handle these various types of software provided in a common data format in a unified manner. Specifically, these various software programs are read, computer programs are executed, movie programs and television programs are reproduced (image signals are reproduced, audio signals are reproduced), music data is reproduced (audio signals are reproduced), still images are reproduced. It has a function to display.

Here, various software formats stored in the high-density CD-ROM 1 will be described. That is, for image data and audio data, a plurality of unit data frames are consecutively configured as a whole. Before being stored in the high-density CD-ROM 1, the image data frame and the audio data frame are A / D converted. The A / D converted data frame is compressed according to the MPEG-2 standard. MPEG-2 is an image data compression standard recommended by MPEG (Motion Picture Image Coding Experts Group), CCIR601 standard (4: 2: 2 format) and HDTV (high-definition, up to 1920 × 1080 lines / frame). Is a standard image format. The data frame compressed in this way is encrypted using a predetermined encryption key. On the other hand, the computer program is encrypted as it is without being subjected to compression processing by MPEG-2 because the MPEG standard is a standard for video signals and audio signals. Data encrypted (and compressed) through such processing is written on a high-density CD-ROM.

  The high-density CD-ROM 1 storing data that has undergone such processing is read by a drive device (not shown). The data frame read by the drive device (not shown) is input to the demodulation circuit / control circuit 3. The demodulating circuit / control circuit 3 has a function of demodulating MPEG standard image / audio information in the input data frame and transmitting it to the decoder 4.

  The decoder 4 has a function of executing error correction and bit rearrangement and delivering up to 2 megabytes / second (average 1 megabyte / second) of image / audio information to the SD circuit 9. The decoder 4 is connected to the system bus B in the SD circuit 9 via an I / O (input / output) device 6a in order to deliver the image / audio information.

  The interface device 17 is also connected to the system bus B in the SD circuit 9 via the I / O device 6a. The interface device 17 performs an input / output process between an operation key 23, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive device 18 provided on the outer surface of the software reproducing device, and a modem (not shown) and the SD circuit 9. Software data transmitted from the software right holder through the communication network is input to the SD circuit 9 by the modem device and the interface device 17 (not shown). The software supplied by this communication also has the same format as the software supplied by the high-density CD-ROM 1, and is encrypted (and compressed) in advance.

Next, the SD circuit 9 connected to the decoder 4 and the interface 17 will be described. Various software provided to the software playback apparatus 2 is distributed in an easily available form such as the above-described high-density CD-ROM 1 or communication. It becomes a problem. Therefore, the SD circuit 9 is used. That is, various types of software that can be used in the software reproducing apparatus 2 are distributed in an encrypted state. The various encrypted software is sequentially decrypted by the SD circuit 9. The SD circuit 9 subtracts the charging counter value X every time decryption is performed. The billing counter value X is a point as a second counter value written in the SD circuit according to the amount paid in advance by the user to the software right holder (copyright holder). The SD circuit maintains the security of the software by stopping the decryption process when the charging counter value X becomes 0 (unusable value).

  The SD circuit 9 is realized in the form of an IC card that is detachably mounted in a card slot (for example, a PCMCIA-compliant card slot) of the software playback device 2. If such an IC card is used, the SD circuit can be easily transported. Accordingly, when the user brings it to a software store or the like, the charging counter value X can be added in exchange for payment.

The SD circuit 9 includes a control CPU 5 and a DES (Data
(Encryption Standard) 7, charging table 8, and I / O devices 6 a and 6 b.

  The control CPU 2 controls the exchange of information between the decoder 4 and the demultiplexer 10 and the DES 7 by sharing with the host control CPU 14 in the software reproducing apparatus 2. The CPU 11 also has a function of controlling the DES 7 and the billing table 8.

  The charging table 14 is a table that stores the above-mentioned assignment counter value X. In the billing table 14, the billing counter value X is encrypted. Accordingly, it is impossible for a person other than the software right holder to rewrite the charging counter value X by analyzing the charging table 14.

  The DES 7 as a decryption hand throw has a function of decrypting the image / sound information received from the decoder 4 and a function of encrypting user information (use time and use count of the software) generated by the operation of the software. . This user information is notified to the right holder of the software through a communication network by a modem (not shown) connected via the interface 10 or written on the floppy (registered trademark) disk 7. It will be collected by the right holder of the software at the next payment.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the DES 7. As shown in the figure, the DES 7 has a DES execution unit 20 and has a function of decrypting the input data (IN) with the key information 21 and outputting it as output data (OUT). In the present embodiment, the DES execution unit 20 includes a mode identification unit 22, which selects an optimum mode from a plurality of DES modes according to the data format and the like, and sends it to the DES execution unit 20. Has the function to give. The key information 21 is a decryption key that is notified by communication from the software right holder when the software right holder confirms the payment of the software usage fee from the software user. As DES7, FIPS'PUB. An IC chip “46 DATA ENCRYPTION STANDARD NIST” can be used.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the data (image data, audio data, etc.) frame decoded by the DES 7 is sent to the demultiplexer 10 outside the SD circuit 9 through the I / O device 6b. The demultiplexer 10 separates the audio data frame, the image data frame, and the computer program and its data. Then, the image data frame is output to the MPEG expansion circuit (MPEG-2) 11a, the audio data frame is output to the MPEG expansion circuit (MPEG-2) 11b, and the computer program and its data are transmitted to the MPEG expansion circuit (MPEG-2). To 11C.

MPEG decompression circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b as decompression means can decompress image data frames or audio data frames transmitted in a compressed state according to the MPEG standard, and output images or audio. It is a circuit to restore to a proper format. When the data frame is decompressed in these MPEG decompression circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b, the VRC circuit 12 synchronizes the output. That is, in synchronization with the synchronization signal output from the VRC circuit 12, the MPEG expansion circuits (MPEG-2) 11a and 11b output the expanded data frame. An IC chip “ISO / IEC CD13818′1-3” can be used as the MPEG decompression circuit.

  The output from the image MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11a is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13a. This analog signal is output to a TV monitor device (not shown) connected to the software reproducing device 2 through the adding circuit 19. The output from the audio MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11b is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13b. This analog signal is output to a speaker (not shown) connected to the software playback device 2 as it is. On the other hand, the computer program or data passes through the MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11c as it is and is output to a computer (not shown) connected to the software playback apparatus 2.

  The image MPEG decompression circuit (MPEG-2) 11a as detection means for detecting use of unit data outputs a frame decompression completion signal each time decompression processing is completed for each compressed data frame. This frame decompression completion signal is received by the host control CPU 14 of the software reproducing apparatus 2 and used for charging control. That is, the host control CPU 14 that has received this frame expansion completion signal shares the function with the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 connected to each other via the bus B, and subtracts the charging counter value described in the charging table 8. In addition, the control of data output blocking when the accounting counter value becomes 0 is performed. Note that the host control CPU 14 is a processing device that controls the entire software playback device 2 including the entire processing.

  The specific contents of the accounting process executed by the host control CPU 14 and the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the functions of both the control CPUs 14 and 9. In FIG. 4, the host control CPU 14 receives inputs from the frame counter unit 29 that receives the frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a and the operation keys 23 provided on the outer surface of the software reproducing apparatus 2 (interface 17, From the mode selection unit 24 to receive (via the I / O device 6a and the bus B), the skip mode control unit 27 that receives a signal from the mode selection unit 24, the mode selection unit 24, and the skip mode control unit 27 A normal playback mode control unit 26 that receives the signal of the above, a still feed mode control unit 25 that receives a signal from the mode selection unit 24, a normal playback mode control unit 26, a still feed mode control unit 25, and a frame counter unit 29. The unit converter 28 that receives the signal from the signal and the image that receives the signal from the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9 And an inhibit signal output unit 30. On the other hand, the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9 includes an image extraction unit 33 that receives a signal from the decoder 4, a DES decoding unit 34 that receives a signal from the image extraction unit 33, a DES decoding unit 34, and a still-feed mode. A frame selection unit 35 that receives a signal from the control unit 25 and outputs a signal to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a, a subtraction unit 31 that receives a signal from the unit conversion unit 28, and a signal from the subtraction unit 31 And a billing counter register unit 32 for outputting a signal to the DES decoding unit 34, the image inhibition signal output unit 30, and the subtraction unit 31. Hereinafter, each functional unit described above will be described.

The mode selection unit 24 serving as a mode switching unit detects that any one of the “playback key”, “still feed key”, and “skip feed key” that constitutes the operation key 23 is pressed, and the pressed key According to the type of the skip mode control unit 27, normal playback mode control unit 26,
And any one of the still feed mode control units 25 is activated. The control units 25, 26, and 27 are activated and stopped when a “stop key” that constitutes the operation key 23 is pressed.

  The skip mode control unit 27 performs control for starting the normal reproduction mode control unit 26 intermittently. The normal playback mode control unit 26 performs control to sequentially output all the frames sent to the SD circuit 9 at predetermined intervals. When the normal playback mode control unit 26 is activated, an activation notification signal is transmitted to the unit conversion unit 28 during activation.

  The still feed mode control unit 25 performs control to select and output a frame sent to the SD circuit 9 according to a predetermined algorithm. In the still feed mode, image data is displayed as a moving image that has been step-searched and fast-forwarded in a frame skipping manner. When the still feed mode control unit 25 is activated, an activation notification signal is transmitted to the unit conversion unit 28 and the frame selection unit 35 while being activated.

  On the other hand, when the normal playback mode control unit 28 or the still feed mode control unit 25 is activated, the CD-ROM drive, the demodulation circuit / control circuit 3 and the decoder 4 (not shown) are activated (or via a modem (not shown)). Each data frame is downloaded), and each data frame is transmitted to the image extraction unit 33. The image extraction unit 33 extracts only the image data frame from the transmitted data frames and transfers it to the DES decoding unit 34.

  The DES decoding unit 34 activates the DES 7 to decode the transferred image data frame. In addition, in order for the DES decryption unit 34 to decrypt the transferred image data frame, it is necessary to receive a decryption permission signal from the accounting counter register unit 32.

  The image data frame decoded by the DES decoding unit 34 is input to the frame selection unit 35. While receiving the activation notification signal from the still transmission mode control unit 25, the frame selection unit 35 selects a part from the received image data frame according to a predetermined algorithm, and outputs it to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a. . As this algorithm, for example, only a frame with a predetermined flag is selected, one frame is selected for every predetermined number of frames, one frame is selected with a predetermined time interval, etc. Is used. Note that the frame selection unit 35 outputs all received image data frames to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a while not receiving the activation notification signal from the still sending mode control unit 25.

  The MPEG decompression circuit 11a for an image that has received an image data frame performs decompression processing on the received image data frame one by one. The MPEG decompression circuit 11 a outputs an image signal to the D / A converter 13 a and transmits a frame decompression completion signal to the frame counter unit 29 every time the decompression process for each frame is completed.

  The frame counter unit 29 as a counting means is a counter that counts up the count value n as the first count value one by one every time a frame expansion completion signal is received. The frame counter unit 29 constantly notifies the unit conversion unit 28 of the counter value. When the frame counter unit 29 receives the clear signal from the unit conversion unit 28, the frame counter unit 29 clears the counter value to zero.

The unit conversion unit 28 compares the counter value n notified from the frame counter unit 29 with a predetermined reference value while receiving the activation notification signal from the normal playback mode control unit 28 or the still feed mode control unit 25. To do. This predetermined reference value is set to R (for example, R = 100,000,000) when the activation notification signal is received from the normal reproduction mode control unit 28, and the activation notification signal from the still-feed mode control unit 25. Is set to 2R. Then, when the counter value n reaches a predetermined reference value, the unit conversion unit 28 outputs a charging unit calculation instruction to the subtraction unit 31. Specifically, the unit converter 28 outputs a subtraction value “1” to the subtractor 31. Note that the unit conversion unit 28 outputs a clear signal to the frame counter unit 29 when the activation notification signal is stopped and when a billing unit subtraction instruction is output.

  The billing counter register unit 32 reads the billing counter value X from the billing table 8 and notifies the subtracting unit 31 while updating the billing counter value X in the billing table 8.

  When there is a charging unit subtraction instruction from the unit conversion unit 28, the subtraction unit 31 decrements the charging counter value X notified from the charging counter register unit 32 by one. Then, the subtracting unit 31 notifies the charging counter register unit 32 of the new decremented charging counter value X (= X−1). The accounting counter register unit 32 overwrites the accounting table 8 with the new accounting counter value X (= X−1) notified from the subtracting unit 31.

  The accounting counter register unit 32 also determines whether or not the accounting counter value X written in the accounting table 8 has become 0 (unusable value). When the charging counter value X becomes 0, the charging counter register unit 32 notifies the image inhibition signal output unit 30 to that effect. At the same time, the accounting counter register unit 32 issues a command for stopping the decryption by the DES 7 and stops the permission signal to the DES decryption unit 34. The billing counter unit 32 outputs a permission signal to the DES decryption unit 34 and the image when the billing counter value X in the billing table 8 is rewritten to a value of 1 or more by the software right holder. This is notified to the inhibition signal output unit 30. These unit conversion unit 28, subtraction unit 31, and billing counter register unit 32 constitute a determining means for determining the billing amount.

  The image inhibition signal output unit 30 outputs a pulse-like image inhibition signal when notified from the accounting counter register unit 32 that the accounting counter value X = 0. Further, the image inhibition signal output unit 30 outputs a pulse-shaped reset signal when the charging counter register unit 32 notifies that the charging counter value X> 0.

  The flow of processing executed by the control CPUs 5 and 14 described above will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the accounting process executed by the host control CPU 14 of the software playback apparatus 2. This process starts when it is detected that one of the “playback key”, “still feed key”, and “skip feed key” constituting the operation key 23 is pressed. First, in step S101, the host control CPU 14 determines an image display mode to be executed based on the type of the pressed key. That is, when the “reproduction key” and “skip sending key” are pressed, it is determined that the “normal reproduction mode” is set. On the other hand, when the “still feed key” is pressed, it is determined that the “still feed mode” is set. The following processing differs depending on the determined playback mode.

  First, in the “still feed mode”, a frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a is detected in step S102. If a frame expansion completion signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S103, and the count value n of the frame counter unit 29 is incremented by one.

  In subsequent step S104, it is determined whether or not the count value n has reached a reference value 2R (for example, 2R = 200,000,000). If the count value n has not yet reached the reference value 2R, it is determined in step S105 whether or not to end the billing process. This determination is made based on whether or not an activation notification signal from the still feed mode control unit 25 is received. That is, if the activation notification signal has not been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be terminated, and the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, when the activation notification signal is received, it is determined that the billing process is continued, and the process returns to step S102.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the count value n has reached the reference value 2R, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, a charging unit subtraction instruction is issued to the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9.

  In the subsequent step S107, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. In the subsequent step S108, it is determined whether or not the accounting control process is to be terminated in the same manner as in step S105. If it is determined that the accounting control process is to be continued, the process returns to step S102. On the other hand, if the accounting control process is to be terminated, the process proceeds to step S116.

  Next, in the case of the “normal reproduction mode”, in step S109, a frame expansion completion signal from the MPEG expansion circuit 11a is detected. If a frame expansion completion signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S110, and the count value n of the frame counter unit 29 is incremented by one.

  In a succeeding step S111, it is determined whether or not the count value n has reached a reference value R (for example, R = 100,000,000). If the count value n has not yet reached the reference value R, it is determined in step S112 whether or not to end the billing process. This determination is made based on whether or not an activation notification signal from the normal reproduction mode control unit 26 is received. That is, if the activation notification signal has not been received, it is determined that the accounting process is to be terminated, and the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, when the activation notification signal is received, it is determined that the billing process is continued, and the process returns to step S109.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S111 that the count value n has reached the reference value R, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, an accounting unit subtraction instruction is issued to the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9.

  In the subsequent step S114, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. In a succeeding step S115, it is determined whether or not the charging control process is to be ended in the same manner as in the step S112. If it is determined that the accounting control process is to be continued, the process returns to step S109. On the other hand, if the accounting control process is to be terminated, the process proceeds to step S116.

  In any case, in step S116, the counter value n of the frame counter unit 29 is cleared to “0”. Subsequently, in step S117, a pattern generation instruction from the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9 is awaited. If there is a pattern generation instruction, a processing step for generating an image inhibition signal is performed in step S118.

FIG. 8 shows the detailed steps of step S118. In this embodiment, image information is recorded on the high-density CD 1, and image information that has been subjected to MPEG2 image compression coding processing without being subjected to encryption processing on a predetermined area that can be identified on the high-density CD 1, Description will be made on the assumption that image information that has been subjected to encryption processing and MPEG2 image compression encoding processing is stored in other predetermined areas.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in step S1181, the control CPU 14 issues an image blocking output command, thereby starting the sequencer 15 and setting the pattern generator 16 to the generation enable state. The pattern generator 16 generates a constant image pattern in accordance with an activation signal generated from the sequencer 15 at a predetermined cycle. This pattern is a binary image, and is configured so that a warning text is displayed on the monitor screen if the monitor screen is connected. This output signal is superimposed on the repeatedly decoded image output. That is, next, the control CPU 14 activates step S1182, sets 15 seconds in the timer, and starts measuring time again. In step S 1183, the value 1 is added to a work area counter (not shown). Next, in step S1184, it is determined whether or not the value of this counter exceeds the value “5”. If not, the process advances to step S1186 to determine whether or not the previously set timer has exceeded “15 seconds”. If 15 seconds have not elapsed, wait until 15 seconds have elapsed. When the time exceeds 15 seconds, the process proceeds to block output instruction issue step S1181 in step S1186, and this is repeated again. When the value of the counter exceeds five times, the process exits from this loop in step S1184, moves to step S1185, and clears the counter.

  As a result of the operations so far, the inhibition image signal is superimposed on the normal decoded image signal and outputted in a cycle of 15 seconds as the image output. Accordingly, the user confirms this and performs a procedure to obtain a usable amount.

  On the other hand, when this warning display is repeated five times at a 15-second cycle for the user, step S1187 is executed. The control CPU 14 issues an instruction to stop the decryption function to the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit 9 in this step. In this step, the control CPU 14 instructs the MPEG2 decoding / decompression circuit to operate.

  Thereafter, the control CPU 5 in the SD circuit transfers the image information directly from the interface 6a to the interface 6b without passing through the decryption circuit 7 for the information supplied from the decoder 4 side.

  After this state, the control CPU 14 executes step S1188. That is, the high-density CD1 drive is read-accessed via a bus line (not shown). At this time, the area not subjected to the above-described encryption processing is designated and reading is instructed. The optical drive 1 reads the address information given from the control CPU 14. The read information is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 11a via the demodulation circuit 3, the decoder 4, the interface 6a, the interface 6b, and the demultiplexer 10. The signal is compressed and restored on this occasion, and an analog signal is output as image information by the DA converter 13a.

  That is, after a predetermined number of warning texts are output to the image, only the image information stored without being encrypted on the optical disk is read and the image is output. Until the control CPU 14 determines in step S1189 that an operation indicating the end of reproduction has been performed by an operation switch provided on an operation surface (not shown) of the software reproduction apparatus 2 as a multimedia information output apparatus, the control CPU 14 Repeat playback. After the above, this billing process ends.

  Note that, during the period in which the process of step S118 described above is being performed, a count prohibition output is supplied to the frame counter unit 29 (FIG. 4) in the control CPU 14, and the frame counter unit 29 thereby stops counting. Needless to say.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the accounting process executed in the control CPU 5 of the SD circuit 9. This process starts when an IC card that accommodates the SD circuit 9 is set in the software playback device 2. In the first step S201, the control CPU 5 executes authorization. This authorization is a check between the control CPUs 14 and 5 when the SD circuit 9 is set.

  Subsequently, the control CPU 5 checks whether or not a charging unit subtraction instruction is received from the host control CPU 14 in step S202. If the charging unit subtraction instruction has not been received, the check in step S202 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the charging unit subtraction instruction is received, the charging counter value X is read from the charging table 8 in step S203. Then, “1” is subtracted from the charging counter value X, and the value (X−1) after the subtraction is set as a new charging counter value X.

  In a succeeding step S204, it is determined whether or not the new charging counter value X is 0 or less. If the charging counter value X is not 0 or less, the process returns to step S202.

  On the other hand, if the charging counter value X is 0 or less, a restoration stop command for DES 7 is issued in step S205. Accordingly, since DES 7 does not perform the decryption process on the image data frame thereafter, only the image data frame that has been encrypted is transmitted to the MPEG decompression circuit 11a. Therefore, only noise is output from the MPEG decompression circuit 11a.

  In the subsequent step S206, a pattern generation instruction is issued to the host control CPU 14. After the above, this process is terminated. In order to re-execute the processing of FIG. 6, the SD circuit 9 is once removed from the software playback device 2, and the charging counter value in the charging table 8 is written to the software right holder in exchange for payment of the software usage fee. The SD circuit 9 must be remounted on the software playback device 2 again.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a configuration as a use blocking unit for superimposing a pattern on a TV monitor in accordance with an image inhibition signal from the host control CPU 14 will be described. An image inhibition signal from the host control CPU 14 is input to the pattern generator 16 and the sequencer 15. The sequencer 15 is turned on / off in a predetermined sequence from the timing at which the image inhibition signal is received, and outputs a signal. The output signal of the sequencer 15 is input to the pattern generator 16.

  When receiving the image inhibition signal, the pattern generator 16 generates an image pattern for displaying character information such as “charging counter value = 0”. The pattern generator 16 outputs the generated image pattern only when the output signal of the sequencer 15 is ON. The image pattern signal output from the pattern generator 16 is input to the adder circuit 19.

  The adder circuit 19 superimposes the image pattern signal output from the pattern generator 16 on the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a, and outputs it to the TV monitor device. Therefore, when the image pattern signal from the pattern generator 16 is OFF, the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a is output as it is. On the other hand, when the image pattern signal is ON, an image signal in which the image pattern is overwritten on the analog image signal output from the D / A converter 13a is output.

Note that when a reset signal is transmitted from the host control CPU 14, the sequencer 15 and the pattern generator 16 stop outputting.
<Operation of Example>
Now, it is assumed that the “playback key” constituting the operation key is pressed. Then, an image data frame is transmitted from the high-density CD-ROM 1 together with the audio data frame to the SD circuit 9. The audio data frame and the image data frame are decoded by the DES 7 on the condition that the charging counter value X in the charging table 8 is 1 or more.

  The SD circuit 9 inputs all the decoded audio data frames and image data frames to the demultiplexer 10 in order. The image data frame separated in the demultiplexer 10 is input to the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a, and the audio data frame is input to the audio MPEG decompression circuit 11b. Each MPEG decompression circuit 11a, 11b decompresses the received frames one by one in order, and outputs them to the D / A converters 13a, 13b.

  Each time the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a completes decompression processing for each image data frame, a frame decompression completion signal is input to the host control CPU. The host control CPU 14 counts the number of times the frame expansion completion signal is received, and decrements the charging count value X in the charging table 8 every time the count value n reaches a predetermined reference value R.

  In this way, in this embodiment, no matter what part of one piece of moving picture (eg, movie) data is seen and how many times the same place is repeated, charging is performed according to the number of output frames. Made. In addition, when the image is stopped, a new frame is not output, so that the charge amount is not added. Therefore, it is possible to charge appropriately without causing unreasonableness as in the conventional charging method. As a result, it is not necessary to add the uncollectible portion of the usage fee to the one usage fee in advance, so the usage fee is expected to be set relatively low.

  If the “still feed key” constituting the operation key is pressed, the SD circuit 9 outputs only the image data frame selected in accordance with a predetermined algorithm and the corresponding audio data frame to the demultiplexer 10.

  The image data frame separated by the demultiplexer 10 is input to the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a, and the audio data frame is input to the audio MPEG decompression circuit 11b. When the image MPEG decompression circuit 11a completes decompression processing for each image data frame, a frame decompression completion signal is input to the host control CPU. However, in this case, the host control CPU 14 does not decrement the charging count value X in the charging table 8 until the count value n of the number of times of reception of the frame expansion completion signal reaches twice the reference value R. That is, every time the count value n reaches 2R, the accounting count value X is decremented.

  Therefore, even if the same number of frames are output within the same time, the charge in the step mode is half the charge in the normal reproduction. Therefore, the unfairness with the case of normal reproduction can be eliminated, and compensation for the output of data can also be made. Therefore, it is possible to make a fair profit adjustment between the software right holder and the user.

  When the charging count value X becomes 0 as a result of decrementing the charging count value X in this way, the signal states of the respective parts are as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows that the billing count value X has become 0 at the time “A” (e).

  First, the analog video signal (a) output from the A / D converter 13a only outputs noise because the decoding by the DES 7 is stopped after the accounting count value X becomes zero.

  Next, when the accounting count value X becomes 0, the host control CPU 14 outputs a pulsed image inhibition signal (b). Then, the pattern generator 16 intermittently outputs the character pattern image signal (image signal for displaying the character “charging count value = 0”) in the first predetermined period, and then continuously outputs the character pattern image signal. The character pattern image signal (c) is output in such a sequence.

  The adder circuit 19 that superimposes the video signal (a) and the character pattern signal (c) outputs the character pattern image signal and the noise alternately in the first predetermined period when the charge count value X becomes 0, and then the character pattern. An analog video signal is output in a sequence that continuously outputs image signals. However, during this time, the audio signal is output as usual.

  Therefore, the software user watching the monitor can recognize that the occurrence of noise is not due to the failure of the apparatus but is due to the billing count value becoming zero. As a result, the SD circuit 9 is removed from the software playback device 2 and the software right holder is prompted to pay the usage fee in exchange for the addition of the charge count value.

Reference diagram of the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the software reproduction apparatus by 1st Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the internal function of DES in FIG. The block diagram which shows the function of control CPU5 and 14 in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process performed in control CPU14 in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process performed in control CPU5 in FIG. FIG. 2 is a time chart showing signal states of various parts. Main part detail step in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1. High density CD-ROM
2 ... Software playback device 5 ... Control CPU
7 DES
8 ... Billing table 9 ... SD circuit 11 ... MPEG decompression circuit 14 ... Host control CPU
28 ... Unit conversion unit 29 ... Frame counter unit 32 ... Billing counter register unit 34 ... DES decryption unit

Claims (4)

The plurality of types of information is read from a medium storing multimedia information obtained by combining a plurality of types of information including at least image information and audio information, and the plurality of types of information is classified and output for each type. In addition, in the multimedia information output device capable of selecting one of continuous playback and intermittent playback of the image information,
Processing means for performing decompression processing and outputting the compressed image information read from the medium;
Means for accounting the image information for the multimedia information, and counting the amount of use of multimedia information determined according to the number of outputs of the processing means;
Means for outputting image information indicating that the usage amount has reached a predetermined value when the usage amount has reached a predetermined value, and stopping the decompression processing output of the processing means after a predetermined time has elapsed. Features multimedia information output device. The compressed image information read from the medium is encrypted,
The multimedia information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means performs a decryption process on the image information before performing the decompression process on the compressed image information. The plurality of types of information is read from a medium storing multimedia information obtained by combining a plurality of types of information including at least image information and audio information, and the plurality of types of information is classified and output for each type. In addition, a multimedia information output device capable of selecting one of continuous reproduction and intermittent reproduction of the image information,
Performing decompression processing and outputting the compressed image information read from the medium;
The image information is billed for the multimedia information, and the usage amount of the multimedia information determined according to the number of decompression processing outputs is counted;
Outputting image information indicating that the usage amount has reached a predetermined value when the usage amount has reached a predetermined value, and stopping the output of the decompression process after a predetermined time has elapsed. A method for outputting multimedia information. The compressed image information read from the medium is encrypted,
4. The multimedia information output method according to claim 3, wherein a decryption process is performed on the image information before the decompression process is performed on the compressed image information.

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